Singer Joe Cocker Dies At 70

Blues and rock legend Joe Cocker, best known for his gritty voice and great vocals, has died at the age of 70.

The English-born singer-songwriter died on Sunday in Colorado, where he had lived for the past two decades. He had lung cancer.

His death was confirmed by agent Barrie Marshall, who called Cocker "without doubt the greatest rock-soul voice ever to come out of Britain".

Cocker, from Sheffield, had a career spanning decades and recorded some 40 albums, his raspy voice known to generations of blues lovers.

His cover of the Beatles' song With A Little Help From My Friends reached number one in the UK in 1968, and a year later he performed the song at Woodstock.

Other hits included You Are So Beautiful and Up Where We Belong, a 1983 duet with Jennifer Warnes that earned him a Grammy and an Oscar. The song was featured in the Richard Gere film An Officer And A Gentleman.

You Can Leave Your Hat On was featured in the 1986 film 9 1/2 Weeks.

Mr Marshall said in his statement that Cocker was "simply unique".

"Hugely talented - a true star - but a kind and humble man who loved to perform," Mr Marshall added.

"Anyone who ever saw him live will never forget him."

Cocker embarked on the epic Mad Dogs And Englishmen Tour in 1970, featuring more than 40 musicians and almost 50 cities across America.

In 2011 he received an OBE for his contribution to music.

Tributes started pouring in shortly after the news of Cocker's death came out.

Former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney called Cocker a "lovely northern lad who I loved a lot and, like many people, I loved his singing".

Of the With A Little Help From My Friends cover, he said Cocker had "totally turned the song into a soul anthem and I was forever grateful for him for doing that".

Beatles drummer Ringo Starr paid tribute to his friend: "Goodbye and God bless to Joe Cocker from one of his friends, peace and love."

"Joe Cocker is a legendary artist of rock and blues history and yet he was one of the most humble men I've ever met," said Edgar Berger, chairman and chief executive of Sony Music Entertainment International.

"His iconic voice will forever be etched in our memories."

Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler said: "We loved you forever, we will miss you always. RIP Joe Cocker."

Fellow rock singer Bryan Adams tweeted: "Joe Cocker has died. RIP my good friend, you were one of the best rock singers ever."